-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Bush fires blazing in Australia 's New South Wales claimed their first victim Friday after a man died of a suspected heart attack defending his home against the blaze on the NSW Central Coast .

Australian media reports said Walter Lindner , 63 , collapsed while battling alongside his neighbor to save his heritage-listed homestead . He was rushed to hospital but was later pronounced dead .

Meanwhile , more than 20 bush fires continued to burn uncontrolled across the state despite the easing weather conditions , according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation .

Authorities say hundreds of homes have been lost with the worst hit areas in the Blue Mountains , a World Heritage area to the west of Sydney , sending thick plumes of smoke into the air .

Firefighters were battling 98 fires across New South Wales as of late Thursday , according to the state 's Rural Fire Service . Earlier Thursday , the fire service tweeted that 34 blazes were still out of control .

More than 100 firefighters were battling flames in Heatherbrae , where one fire has so far destroyed 3,500 hectares -LRB- 8,649 acres -RRB- , the service said .

New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell warned at a news conference Thursday that hundreds of homes could be destroyed by the time the crisis is over .

He paid tribute to the efforts of the emergency responders battling the flames .

`` Today 's conditions , both the hot , dry conditions but also the wind conditions , have contributed to the difficulties faced by firefighters and communities on the ground , '' he said .

`` This difficult , damaging and dangerous day and these conditions are not going to be over quickly , '' he said . `` Weather conditions are changing . It will take some days to see the end of these fires , and I suspect if we get through that without the loss of life , we should thank God for miracles . ''

Footage broadcast by CNN affiliate Seven Network showed flames consuming homes .

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service has issued emergency warnings for the most risky situations .

They include the State Mine Fire , a large bush fire moving from Lithgow toward Bilpin , in the Blue Mountains , which has burned more than 20,000 hectares -LRB- more than 49,000 acres -RRB- of bushland , firefighters said .

Another blaze threatens homes in the Springwood area of the Blue Mountains .

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NEW : 63-year-old man dies helping neighbor in New South Wales

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The fire service said earlier Thursday that 34 fires were still out of control

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If there 's no loss of life , `` we should thank God for miracles , '' says state premier

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98 fires are now burning , the New South Wales Rural Fire Service says